New regulation to end mandatory school uniforms, restrictions on headscarves

ISTANBUL

AA Photo

Students in state schools will no longer be forced to wear uniforms while female pupils in religious vocational schools will be permitted to don headscarves based on a new regulation, private broadcaster NTV reported today.

The new law, however, does not accord students the right to wear any type of outfit, as they will still be prevented from wearing tight clothes showing body lines, short pants, short skirts or skirts with deep vents, as well as sleeveless shirts. At the same time, school administrations have also been given the authority to determine the dress code for their institutions.

In addition to the end of restrictions on headscarves in imam-hatip religious vocational schools, middle and high school students taking elective Quran classes will also be permitted to cover heads.

Clothes or accessories with political symbols or words will also not be permitted in schools.

Students will also not be forced to wear uniforms in physical education classes as part of the new regulation.